Pulling iron pocket, lid and shield

ABSTRACT

A pocket, lid and shield for casting a pulling iron in a concrete structure are described. The pocket includes a slot reinforced with stiffening members for receiving the pulling iron. The pocket also includes a frangible support post for supporting the pulling iron when it is received in the pocket. Also described are embodiments of a shield, which include clipping members adapted to engage the stiffening members, for covering the slot, and a lid having a lip for engaging a peripheral groove in the pocket. Methods of over-molding a pulling iron cable are also described. According to the methods, a temporary seal, which can be used in over-molding a subsequent pulling iron cable, can be formed simultaneously with each over-molded product. During molding, the cable can be held in the center of a channel in the mold tool using a retractable magnetic pin.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present application is a divisional of co-pending application Ser.No. 10/754,856, filed Jan. 9, 2004, which claimed priority from U.S.Provisional Application No. 60/439,014, filed Jan. 9, 2003.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates to pre-formed inserts for use while pouringconcrete and the like. More specifically, the invention relates to apocket, lid and shield for recessing a pulling iron in a concretestructure.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Pulling irons can be embedded in concrete structures to provide a hookby which a crane or other moving device can grab and manipulate thestructure. In the field, the pulling iron can also be used to attach apulley for pulling cables or wires through a conduit into the structureusing a winch. Such pulling irons can be confined to a recess formed inthe concrete so as not to protrude past the wall of the structure.

A pulling iron pocket is used to form the recess in the concretestructure. A known pulling iron pocket is shown in commonly owned U.S.Pat. No. 4,443,980, which is incorporated herein by reference. A pullingiron is partially embedded in the concrete and projects through a slotin the pocket into the recess at the time the structure is poured. Theconventional pulling iron pocket has a flat seal area for engaging alid. It has been found that the flat seal area may not always provide acompletely leakproof seal; and can allow some concrete slurry to seepinto the pocket. Also, the slot through which the pulling iron isinserted into the pocket may not be adequately rigid to resistdeformation under pressure, potentially permitting further leakage.

In use, after inserting the pulling iron through the slot, a user mustsupport the pulling iron by measuring and cutting pieces of Styrofoam orthe like and placing the pieces between the pulling iron hook area andthe inside body of the pocket. Unfortunately, even when supported byStyrofoam or the like, the possibility of the pulling iron moving aboutinside the pocket is not eliminated. Thus, the pulling iron can becomeembedded too close to the inside edge of the recess, providing aninadequate clearance area for attaching a hook to the pulling iron.

To help support the pulling iron in the pocket and to reduce leakage ofconcrete slurry through the slot, a shield can be integrally formed withover-molding around the puling iron, as shown in commonly owned U.S.Pat. No. 3,916,590 and the above referenced '980 patent. The integralshield rests against the slot in use. Although this innovation improvedthe situation, the pulling iron could still move about inside the pocketduring pouring and some leakage through the slot continued to be noted.Another attempt to overcome the problem involves a snap system of smallround bumps intended to attach an integral pulling iron shield to theslot. In addition, it has been attempted to add a neoprene gasket aroundthe slot. However, these systems may not hold the iron in place wellbecause the snaps are small, difficult to use and may not latch tightly.Adding neoprene is costly and does not eliminate leakage of concreteinto the pocket if excessive deformation occurs around the slot.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates to a pulling iron pocket for recessing a pullingiron in a concrete structure. The pulling iron includes a shell with aninside that defines an open cavity. The bottom of the shell has asubstantially rectangular slot for receiving the pulling iron, and isreinforced with stiffening members on at least two sides of the slot.The pulling iron pocket can also include a support post that extendsfrom the inside of the shell into the cavity for supporting a pullingiron when it is received in the slot.

The invention also relates to a system for recessing a pulling iron in aconcrete structure. In addition to the pulling iron pocket, the systemcan include a shield and a lid. The shield is adapted to cover the slotand support the pulling iron when it is received in the slot. The shieldincludes a substantially flat plate for covering the slot and at leasttwo clipping members for inserting through the slot and engaging thestiffening members. Each clipping member includes a post that extendsupwardly from the plate and a gripping finger that extends transverselytherefrom. The system can further include a lid to close the pocket. Theperiphery of the lid can include a lip to engage a groove in theperiphery of the pocket shell.

The invention also relates to a method of over-molding a pulling ironcable. The method can involve molding one or more temporary sealingrings and applying the temporary sealing rings onto the pulling ironcable to be molded. The molding tool can be closed to crush thetemporary sealing rings between the pulling iron cable and the mold toolto substantially form a seal between the inside of the tool and outsidethe tool. The tool can be configured so that injecting plastic into thetool simultaneously forms a coating on the pulling iron cable and one ormore additional temporary sealing rings, which can be used to form sealswhen over-molding the next pulling iron cable. The pulling iron cablecan be held in the center of a channel in the tool using a magnetic pinthat initially extends into the channel, but automatically retracts whenpressure within the tool reaches a pre-selected level.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

For the purpose of illustrating the invention, there are shown in thedrawings forms which are presently preferred; it being understood, thatthis invention is not limited to the precise arrangements andinstrumentalities shown.

FIG. 1 is a view of the inside of a pulling iron pocket according to anembodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a view of the outside of the pulling iron pocket of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a view of an over-molded pulling iron according to anembodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4A is a plan view of the injection side of a tool for over-moldinga pulling iron.

FIG. 4B is a plan view of the ejection side of a tool for over-molding apulling iron.

FIG. 5 is a view of the over-molded pulling iron of FIG. 2 engaged withthe pulling iron pocket of FIG. 1.

FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of the assembly of FIG. 5 with a lid inplace.

FIG. 7 shows an open foldable shield, according to an embodiment of thepresent invention, for a pulling iron without an integral shield.

FIG. 8 is a top view of the shield of FIG. 7 after folding.

FIG. 9 is a bottom view of the shield of FIG. 7 after folding.

FIG. 10 shows the shield of FIG. 7, after folding, engaged with apulling iron without an integral shield and the pulling iron pocket ofFIG. 1.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

In the Figures, in which like reference numerals indicate like elements,there are shown a preferred pulling iron pocket, a lid and shieldsaccording to the present invention. FIG. 1 shows the inside of a pullingiron pocket 10. The pocket 10 includes a shell 12 having an inside 14that defines a cavity. The shell is preferably plastic.

The bottom of the shell includes a slot 16 that is reinforced withstiffening members on at least two sides, preferably on all sides. Thestiffening members can include lateral walls 18, forward rim 20A andrear rim 20B. In addition, the bottom of the pocket can be provided witha recess 22 adjacent the forward rim 20A to provide additionalresistance to bending. A similar feature can be provided adjacent therear rim 20B. Together, the stiffening members provide a substantiallyrigid surface surrounding the slot 16.

A groove 24 may be formed around the periphery of the front of thepocket 10. The groove 24 provides a robust snap in detail to create atight, secure seal between the pocket 10 and a lid. Because the lid canbe snapped into place, magnets can be used to secure the pocket and lidassembly to a steel form. The groove 24 and magnet receiving featureswill be described further below with reference to FIG. 5.

A support post 26 extends from the back of the inside of the pocket 10into the cavity. The support post 26 can provide support for a pullingiron when inserted into the cavity through the slot 16, thereby reducingor eliminating movement of the pulling iron while inside the cavity. Thesupport post 26 can be formed with an area of weakness at its base 28,where the support post 26 can be easily snapped off after the concretewall has been formed and cured, so that the post 26 does not interferewith hooking capabilities. The pocket 10 can also be formed integrallywith a frangible cap 30. The cap 30 can be shaped to fit on the end ofthe support post 26 to act as an extender of the post if desired.

As shown in FIG. 2, formation of the support post 26 can leave anopening 32 near the middle of the outside of the shell 12. The cap 30can be sized to fit into and fill the opening 32. Thus, if the cap 30 isnot used as a post extender, the cap can seal opening 32 so thatconcrete does not fill the post 26 when the concrete is poured.

Multiple rebar saddles 34 at standard concrete coverage height areincorporated on the outside shell of the pocket to facilitate theattachment of the pocket 10 to a rebar cage. The rebar can rest on thesaddles 34, thereby allowing a user to conveniently tie or otherwiseattach the pocket to the rebar or form at the proper height. Tofacilitate attachment of the pocket, attachment loops 36 can be includedon the shell 12. A user can utilize the attachment loops 36 toconveniently wire or tie the pocket 10 to the rebar cage or screw thepocket 10 to a wooden form.

Grooves 38 can also be provided in the pocket 10 for engaging rebar.Several of the features described above, including the slot 16 andrecess 22 (which is a protrusion from the outside), can also be seenfrom outside the shell in FIG. 2.

An over-molded pulling iron 50 is shown in FIG. 3. Insulation 52 isinjection molded around the pulling iron cable 54. The insulation 52 isa material that will provide corrosion resistance to the wound metalcables making up the pulling iron. Preferably, the insulation 52 alsohas relatively high resistance to the flow of electricity, such asplastic or rubber. The insulation 52 can be formed with an integralshield 56 so that a distinct shield is not needed. The integral shield56 is formed of one-piece construction with the insulation 52 duringinjection molding. The integral shield includes a substantially flat,rectangular plate 58 that is dimensioned to be longer and wider than theslot 16 in the shell 12.

A set of clipping members extend upwardly from the top of the plate 58.The clipping members can include lateral clips 60 spaced apart so as toengage the lateral walls 18 of the pocket 10. The lateral clips 60 canbe resiliently flexible and can each include an angled upper surface 60Aon a gripping finger that extends transversely from an upwardlyextending post. The angled upper surfaces 60A engage the sides of theslot 16 and can bias the lateral clips 60 inwardly when a user pushesthe clips 60 upwardly through the slot. Once inserted through the slot16, the lateral clips 60 can resiliently flex outwardly so that thegripping fingers engage the lateral walls 18, in which position theclips 60 tend to stay in place.

The clipping members can further include inner clips 62 having grippingfingers 62A extending transversely (forward and rear) of an upwardlyextending post 62B. The shield 56 can be tilted forward or rearward tofacilitate insertion of the inner clips 62 through the slot 16. Thegripping fingers can engage the forward and rear rims 20 adjacent theslot 16 once a user pushes the inner clips 62 upwardly through the slot,in which position the inner clips 62 tend to stay in place.

The clipping members are sized to correspond with the stiffening memberssurrounding the pocket slot 16. Thus, once the shield 56 is snapped intoplace, the clipping members tend to hold the plate 56 flush against thebottom of the shell, sealing the slot 16, and tend to hold the pullingiron 50 stationary within the pocket. To further help support thepulling iron 50, the insulation 52 can be formed with post-engagementsurfaces 64 sloping rearwardly (in the front) and forwardly (in theback) for engaging the support post 26. The engagement of thepost-engagement surface 64 and support post 26, as well as the that ofthe clipping members with the stiffening members around the slot, willbe further described below with regard to FIGS. 5 and 6.

FIGS. 4A and 4B show the injection side 210 and ejection side 230,respectively, of a molding tool that can be used to mold the insulationand integral shield around the pulling iron cable 54. The injection side210 of the tool includes a channel 212 for receiving the pulling ironcable to be molded. A trough 214 is provided in the tool for forming theplate 58. Appropriately shaped grooves 216, 218 are provided forforming, respectively, the lateral clips 60 and inner clips 62. Aninjection port 220 is connected to a source of pressurized moltenthermoplastic for filling the mold. Disposed within the channel 212 arespring pins 222 that are biased into the channel 212 in the absence ofmolding pressure. At each end of the channel 212 is an expanded chamber224 for forming a collar at the end of the insulation 52, and forreceiving a molded seal. The expanded chamber 224 may be formed in areplaceable wear component that can be bolted to the rest of the toolside 210 and replaced once worn from repeated use. The corners of theinjection side 210 include posts 226 for mating with the ejection side230.

The ejection side 230 includes a channel 232 that corresponds with thechannel 212 of the injection side 210 when the sides are mated. A trough234 and grooves 236, 238 correspond, respectively with the trough 214and grooves 216, 218. An injection channel 240 corresponds with theinjection port 220. Magnetic spring pins 242 are disposed in the tooland are biased into the channel 232 when the mold is not pressurized.Each of the magnetic spring pins can be magnetized with a centrallydisposed magnet 244 that can be raised above the periphery of the pins242. A pair of C-shaped grooves 246 are connected to the channel 232 bya thin run. As explained further below, the C-shaped grooves 246 can beused to mold C-shaped temporary sealing rings for sealing the inside ofthe tool from the outside around the pulling iron cables duringsubsequent molding of the next part. The C-shaped seals can be closed toform annular seals that are sized slightly larger than the radius of anexpanded chamber 248 in a replaceable wear component at the end of thechannel 232. Adjacent the replaceable wear components are curvedlocating channels extending from the expanded chambers 248 to the edgesof the tool. The locating channels serve to appropriately hold thepulling iron cable in place with respect to the plane of the tool face.That means that the locating channels hold the cable in the center ofthe channel 232 in the x and y directions (x and y being parallel withthe tool face in which the various features of the cavity are disposed).The corners of the ejection side 230 include bores 250 for slideablyreceiving the posts 226 of the injection side 210 for mating the sides.Ejector pins 252 are provided at various locations about the side 230for ejecting the part when molding is complete.

In use, a pulling iron cable is placed in the channel 232 of theejection side of the tool. The bend in the cable (in the area ofpost-engagement surface 64 of the finished product) may be covered by abent metal sleeve for additional reinforcement prior to placing it inthe tool. The sides 210, 230 of the molding tool are mated under highforce, 60,000 pounds for example, with the cable sandwiched in thecombined corresponding channels 212, 232. With the tool sides 210, 230clamped together, the pulling iron cable is maintained in the center ofthe combined channel 212, 232 in the z direction (normal to the x and ydirections) by the magnetic spring pins 242 and spring pins 222. Becausethe magnetic spring pins tends to hold the pulling iron cableconsistently in the middle of the combined channel, the final moldedpulling iron has consistent depth of plastic around the pulling ironcable. The combined channel can be relatively narrow because no or onlya minimal amount of extra plastic must be injected to ensure that allsides of the cable are covered with an acceptable thickness of plastic.

Molten thermoplastic can be injected under pressure through theinjection port 220. A suitable injection pressure is 10,000 pounds persquare inch. As the molten plastic is injected, the area around thepulling iron cable in the combined channel 212, 232 and the variousfeatures described above become filled. The magnetic spring pins 242 andspring pins 222 have pressure-sensitive surfaces that are not in contactwith the pulling iron cable. When pressure within the tool reaches apre-selected level, the pressure overcomes the biasing and magneticforces and pushes the magnetic spring pins 242 and spring pins 222 intothe tool. Thus, the magnetic spring pins 242 and spring pins 222automatically retract from the channel 232 when the pre-selectedpressure is reached. The pulling iron cable does not tend to move insidethe cavity when the pins are retracted because plastic already surroundsthe cable when retraction occurs. Once retracted, plastic flows into theareas previously occupied by the magnetic spring pins 242 and springpins 222 to provide a substantially smooth, uninterrupted coating ofplastic around the cable. Upon cooling, the ejector pins 252 can beactuated and an over-molded pulling iron, as described above, is formed.

During formation of the plastic coating around the pulling iron cable,two C-shaped ring seals are simultaneously formed in the grooves 246.The C-shaped ring seals are frangibly attached to the insulation aroundthe pulling iron cable. The C-shaped seals can be removed from theover-molded pulling iron and snapped around the next cable to beover-molded. The C-shaped seals are positioned along the cable such thatthey rest in the expanded chambers 248 when the cable is placed in theejector side of the tool. As the sides are clamped together, theC-shaped seals are crushed between the expanded chambers 224, 248. Theforce of the closing tool closes the C-shaped seals into annular sealsand crushes the seals into the spaces between the individual strands ofcable. The annular seals substantially prevent plastic injected into thetool from leaking out during the molding process at the points where thepulling iron cable enter the channel. Thus, high pressure can beachieved within the mold without losing significant amounts of plastic,thereby allowing the production of high quality parts.

It should be noted that C-shaped seals may not be available for thefirst part to be molded. Thus, the first over-molded pulling iron maynot be produced under the desirable high pressure or without substantialleakage. Instead of inserting a pulling iron cable for the first moldingrun, the first run can be a “blank” run if desired. It is possible toinject plastic into the tool without a cable in place to form an allplastic molding. (A temporary seal can block the entry points of thecable into the channel if desired.) This will produce the desiredC-shaped seals for the next molding run, without over-molding a cableunder undesirable conditions.

FIG. 5 shows the over-molded pulling iron 50 engaged with the pocket 10,without a lid. FIG. 6 shows a lateral cross section of the engagement ofFIG. 5 with a lid 100 snapped into place. The lid 100 can be a generallytriangular shape as viewed from a major side (not shown) to correspondwith the opening in the pocket 10. The groove 24, into which the lid 100can be snapped, is best seen in FIG. 6. To facilitate the snappingengagement, the lid 100 can be formed with an outwardly extending lip102 to snap into the groove 24. The groove 24 in the pocket 10 and thecorresponding lip 102 preferably extend around the entire periphery ofthe pocket 10 and lid 100 respectively, or can alternatively be providedin discrete corresponding locations spaced about the peripheries.

The lid 100 can also be provided with features to facilitate locating,mounting, and/or subsequently removing the assembly. A gripping feature104 can be incorporated into the face of the lid 100. The grippingfeature 104 includes a recess in the lid 100 and a protrusion extendingfrom the back of the recess back toward the major face. The protrusionenables a user to grip and remove the lid 100 with pliers or the likeafter the pocket has been used to form a recess in a structure.

Mounting features 106 can be incorporated into the lid to assist a userin locating and/or mounting the assembly. The mounting features 106 canbe cells formed from round or other shaped walls extending from the faceof the lid into the pocket. The mounting features 106 can be about oneinch in diameter and extend into the pocket about /4 of an inch. Thecells can be open to the outside of the pocket for receiving magnets ortap-ons. If metal forms are used, one inch magnets, for example, may befriction fit into the cells to hold the lid (and pocket, by virtue ofthe snapped engagement of lip 102 and groove 24) against the form.Alternatively, a one-inch diameter tap-on can be screwed or riveted to awooden form. The mounting feature 106 can then be friction mounted ontothe tap-on. The lid 100 can be provided with a plurality of mountingfeatures 106. If three mounting features are used, they can be arrangedin a triangle. The cross sectional view of FIG. 6 cuts through the uppermounting feature 106 of such an arrangement, while cutting in betweenthe lower two mounting features 106.

Once the clipping members of the shield 56 are pushed upwardly throughthe slot 16, the shield plate 58 can be substantially in contact withthe bottom of the pocket shell 12 to form a seal. The shield plate 58 issecurely held in substantial contact with the bottom of the shell by theengagement of the lateral clips 60 against the lateral walls 18 (FIG. 5)and the gripping fingers 62A of the inner clips 62 against the rear andforward rims 20 (FIGS. 5 and 6). This robust snapping arrangementbetween the shield 56 with the reinforced edges of the slot 16substantially prevents leakage of concrete into the pocket through theslot and significantly restricts the freedom of movement of the pullingiron 50 within the pocket.

Also as shown in FIG. 6, it should now be clear that the post-engagementsurface 64 of the pulling iron insulation 52 is angled to provide areceiving surface for the support post 26. (A post-engagement surfacecan be provided on both sides of the insulation 52 so that the pullingiron 50 can be inserted into the pocket in either orientation.) Theengagement of the support post 26 against the post-engagement surface 64further limits the freedom of movement of the pulling iron within thepocket 10. If the pulling iron or insulation around the pulling iron isnot as thick as that of pulling iron 50, or if a non-insulated pullingiron is used, the cap 30 can be placed on the end of the support post 26to extend it. When the lid 100 is snapped into place, it can contact theopposite side of the pulling iron 50 or otherwise still further reduceor substantially eliminate its freedom of movement.

FIG. 7 shows a shield 150 for an unmolded pulling iron. As used herein,the term “unmolded pulling iron” refers to a pulling iron that does nothave a shield integrally formed with over-molded insulation during themolding process. Such a pulling iron may have plastic molded around it,especially at the hooking area as shown in the drawing. The shield 150allows an unmolded pulling iron to snap securely in place in the pullingiron pocket. The shield includes two shield flaps 152, 154 connected bya pair of bridges 156, preferably constructed as one piece. The shieldflaps 152, 154 are foldable toward one another at hinges 158 to form asubstantially flat plate 160 as shown in FIGS. 8 and 9. A set ofengaging fingers 162, 164 is provided immediately below the plane of theflaps to prevent over-travel of the flaps 152, 154 and to help form aseal.

The top of the shield 150 features clipping members that are similar tothose on the integral shield 56. The clipping members can includelateral clips 166 and inner clips 168. The lateral clips 166 are spacedapart so as to engage the lateral walls 18 of the pocket 10. The lateralclips 166 can be resiliently flexible and can each include angled uppersurfaces 166A on gripping fingers that extend transversely from poststhat extend upwardly from each of the flaps. The angled upper surfaces166A engage the sides of the slot 16 and can bias the lateral clips 166inwardly when a user pushes the clips 166 upwardly through the slot.Once inserted through the slot 16, the lateral clips can resilientlyflex outwardly so that the gripping fingers engage the lateral walls 18,in which position the clips 166 tend to stay in place.

The inner clips 168 have gripping fingers 168A extending transversely(forward and rear) of posts that extend upwardly from each flap. Theshield 150 can be tilted forward or rearward to facilitate insertion ofthe inner clips 168 through the slot 16. When inserted through the slot16, the inner clips 168 can engage the forward and rearward reinforcingrims 20 of the pocket, in which position the inner clips 168 tend tostay in place.

The shield flaps 152, 154 each have semi-circular openings 170 angled tocooperate with each other for receiving the unmolded pulling iron cable.In use, the unfolded shield 150 (FIG. 7) can be slid over the hookingarea of the pulling iron until the semi-circular openings align with theunmolded cables of the pulling iron. The shield flaps can then be foldedabout hinges 158 toward one another around the pulling iron. The shield150 and unmolded pulling iron 180 can then be engaged with the pullingiron pocket 10 as shown in FIG. 10.

Like those of the integral shield 56, the clipping members of the shield150 are sized to correspond with the stiffening members surrounding thepocket slot 16. Thus, once the shield 150 is snapped into place, theclipping members tend to hold the plate 160 snugly against the bottom ofthe pocket 10 and the pulling iron 180 stationary within the pocket. Thefolded flaps 152, 154, aided by engaging fingers 162, 164 substantiallyseal out concrete during the pouring process. The thin sealing detailaround cooperating semi-circles 170 surrounding the pulling iron cableconforms closely to the cable, restricting concrete slurry leakage.

The robust snapping features of both the integral shield 56 and thedistinct shield 150, in combination with the stiffening members aroundthe slot 16 and the support post 26 of the pocket, provide excellentsupport for the pulling iron 50 or 180. Using the features describedabove, a builder can achieve very good and consistent results byembedding a pulling iron in concrete to form a recessed pulling iron ina structure.

A variety of modifications to the embodiments described will be apparentto those skilled in the art from the disclosure provided herein. Thus,the present invention may be embodied in other specific forms withoutdeparting from the spirit or essential attributes thereof and,accordingly, reference should be made to the appended claims, ratherthan to the foregoing specification, as indicating the scope of theinvention.

1. A system for recessing a pulling iron in a concrete structure, thesystem comprising: a pulling iron pocket comprising a shell having abottom, an inside and an outside, the inside defining an open cavity,the bottom having a substantially rectangular slot for receiving thepulling iron, and stiffening members on at least two sides of the slot;and a shield for covering the slot and supporting the pulling iron whenit is received in the slot, the shield comprising a substantially flatplate and at least two clipping members for engaging the stiffeningmembers, each clipping member having a gripping finger extendingtransversely from a post that extends upwardly from the plate.
 2. Thesystem of claim 1 wherein the shield is integrally molded withover-molded insulation around the pulling iron.
 3. The system of claim 1wherein the shield is distinct from any insulation molded around thepulling iron and wherein the shield comprises two flaps connected by atleast one bridge, the flaps being foldable toward one another and aroundthe pulling iron to form the substantially flat plate.
 4. The system ofclaim 1 wherein the pulling iron pocket further comprises a support postextending from the inside of the shell into the cavity for supportingthe pulling iron when it is received in the slot.
 5. The system of claim1 further comprising a lid for closing the cavity, the lid having a lipfor engaging a groove in the periphery of the shell.
 6. The system ofclaim 1 wherein the stiffening members comprise lateral walls extendingupwardly from the bottom of the pocket and the clipping members compriselateral clips with a sloped surface for biasing the lateral clipsinwardly when the lateral clips are pushed through the slot.
 7. A methodof over-molding a pulling iron cable, the method comprising the stepsof: molding one or more temporary sealing rings; applying the temporarysealing rings onto the pulling iron cable to be molded; crushing thetemporary sealing ring between the pulling iron cable and a mold tool tosubstantially form a seal between the inside of the tool and outside thetool; simultaneously forming a coating on the pulling iron cable and oneor more additional temporary sealing rings by injecting plastic into thetool.
 8. The method of claim 7 further comprising the steps of repeatingthe crushing step with the additional temporary sealing rings andanother pulling iron cable to be molded and repeating the injectingstep.
 9. The method of claim 7 further comprising the step of holdingthe pulling iron cable in the center of a channel in the tool using amagnetic pin.
 10. The method of claim 9 further comprising the step ofautomatically retracting the magnetic pin out of the channel whenpressure inside the tool reaches a pre-selected level.
 11. Anover-molded pulling iron produced according to the process of claim 7.12. An over-molded pulling iron produced by a process comprising thesteps of: holding a pulling iron cable in the center of a channel in amolding tool using a magnetic pin extending into the channel; injectingplastic into the channel to form a coating around the pulling ironcable, the coating being initially interrupted by the magnetic pin;automatically retracting the magnetic pin when pressure within thechannel reaches a pre-selected level, thereby allowing plastic to fill avoid left by the retracted pin to provide an uninterrupted coating.